Rideau River Flood Control Operations 2017

posted Feb 23, 2017, 11:47 AM by Deanna Pinsent

Update on Rideau River Flood Control Operations 2017

The City of Ottawa Rideau River flood control operations began the week of February 15 with the ice cutting. Due to recent changes in the weather and ice conditions Ice breaking operations, including blasting, will begin TODAY Thursday, February 23.

Parents and teachers in the vicinity of the river are reminded that children should be supervised at all times around water. Please warn children of the dangers of open water and keep them away from the river, especially during ice breaking and blasting operations.

Operations include:

·Cutting keys - Starting above Rideau Falls, saws were used to cut keys to remove large pieces of ice along portions of the river.

·Ice breaking - Charges (explosives) and amphibious excavating equipment are used in various spots along the river to break ice apart to create open water. Ice breaking operations continue daily until the river's flow is stabilized.